Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a jury has found 28-year-old Kaiden Haynes (also known as Kadien Haynes) guilty, as charged, on all counts in the indictment against him:

• One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class “B” violent felony
• Eight counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class “D” violent felonies
• Two counts of Strangulation in the Second Degree, Class “D” violent felonies
• Three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Class “A” misdemeanors

The jury rendered their decision after six hours of deliberation following a two-week trial on Friday, March 20, 2020.

The defendant was in a relationship with the female victim. Haynes moved into the victim’s apartment in the City of Buffalo where she resided with her 10-year-old son in March 2018. The physical abuse began about two months later and continued until the defendant was arrested in January 2019.

Haynes, with the intent to seriously or permanently disfigure the victim, repeatedly whipped, burned, cut, strangled, and tortured the victim on multiple occasions over the course of 10 months. Haynes also strangled the victim on multiple occasions by wrapping a HDMI cable around her throat, which caused physical injury and loss of consciousness.

Haynes caused injuries to the victim and her son using various objects in the household. He also forced the victim to hit her child and the child to hit his mother with various objects.

The defendant acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of the child by repeatedly assaulting and torturing both the juvenile victim and his mother.

Haynes faces a maximum of 97 years in prison when he is sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges as second violent felony offender on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. He remains held without bail.

“This is one of the most egregious cases of abuse that has been prosecuted by my office. The victim and her son suffered unspeakable violence at the hands of this defendant. I hope that they feel safe knowing that their abuser is behind bars and that justice has been served by him being convicted on all 14 charges. I want the people of Erie County to know that these cases are a priority in my office and all incidents of domestic violence will be aggressively prosecuted,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn. 

DA Flynn commends the victim for her courage by reporting the abuse to authorities. DA Flynn also would like to recognize the victim and her son for having the strength to testify against the defendant at trial.

DA Flynn also commends Detective Julie Ledwin, Detective Keith Fitzner, Officer Zachary Burgess and Officer Jennifer Stutz of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation. DA Flynn also commends the victim’s work supervisor, Tina Pilkey of the BE-SAFE Victim Advocacy Program, and the Family Justice Center for their assistance. 

The case was prosecuted by Chief Holly Tucker and Assistant District Attorney Gina Gramaglia of the DA’s Domestic Violence Bureau.